Thrombosis

Venous Thromboembolism (VTE), which is the obstruction of a vein by a blood clot, is the third most common cardiovascular disease in the western world and affects approximately 1.5 million Europeans each year [1].

 

Venous thrombosis is when a blood clot forms in a vein. It can occur in different situations:

• There is a venous stasis (blood flow within the vein is stopped)

• The blood is more likely to clot than normal, a state known as hypercoagulation

• There is a vascular injury: the wall of the vein is damaged and/or torn

Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) is a general term to describe the blocking of a blood vessel by a blood clot. This term includes both deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).

DVT occurs when a blood clot blocks a deep vein, usually in the leg. PE is a potentially life-threatening complication and occurs when the blood clot escapes into the circulation and becomes lodged in the lungs. VTE is often a silent disease, and the first appearance can be fatal.

It affects approximately 1.5 million Europeans each. It kills far more people than AIDS, breast cancer, prostate cancer and traffic accidents combined. VTE is the most common preventable cause of death in hospitalised patients and pregnant women [1].

• Cohen et al. VITAE VTE Impact Assessment Group in Europe, epidemiological study: abstract at EFIM 2005.

• Clexane® (enoxaparin sodium injection)